Ukrainian light infantry have advanced to positions behind the anti-tank ditches and “dragon’s teeth” anti-armor obstacles that make up the current Russian defensive buffer against the Ukrainian offensive in western Zaporizhzhia, and Ukrainian forces likely intend to hold those positions, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in your last assessment.

However, the institute notes that it is currently not ready to claim that Ukrainian forces have penetrated this Russian defense layer, as no Ukrainian heavy equipment has been spotted in these areas.

Geolocated images released on Monday show that Ukrainian forces have advanced to tree-line positions that lie east of Russian anti-tank ditches and “dragon’s teeth” obstacles that form part of a triple layer of defenses immediately west of Verbove (18 km southeast of Orihiv).

Geolocation images taken on Monday show that Ukrainian light infantry have also pushed deeper into a series of prepared Russian defensive positions along the road running northwest to Vervovoy.

Other geolocation images released on September 4 show Ukrainian forces advancing on Russian defensive positions between Robotyn (10 km south of Orichov) and Novoprokopivka (13 km south of Orichov).

Ukrainians are increasing the already created gap

Ukrainian forces are expanding the breach they have already made in the Russian defense line and are reportedly deploying more equipment and troops to tactical areas behind the line.

Kyiv forces appear to be advancing in close proximity to the still-intact Russian defensive strip, which stretches from northwest of Verbovoy to north of Sweetka Balka (20 km south of Orichov), with infantry attacks and heavy artillery fire. Russian positions inside and south of this area.

The deployment of Ukrainian heavy equipment and larger forces in these areas than previously seen would represent both a breach in this Russian defense layer and an attempt to widen that breach, ISW notes.

At the weekend, the Ukrainian general leading the counteroffensive in the south, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said his troops had decisively broken through Russia’s first line of defense near Zaporizhzhia after weeks of intensive demining, and he expected further advances. presses the second front line, which is weaker.

Last week, several Ukrainian officials, as well as Russian military bloggers, said that Kyiv forces were gradually making progress in a counteroffensive against Russian defensive lines in the southeastern regions of the country.

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